By Janine DavisRecord Staff WriterTruesdale city leaders have passed an ordinance granting a request to annex Faith Christian Family Church.After a split vote in November, Mayor Murray Bruer cast the deciding vote this month to approve the church’s request for voluntary annexation. In November, Board President Shalene Blackwood and Alderwoman Rhonda Columbo voted in favor of the ordinance, while Aldermen Stanley Brookshier and Donald McGee opposed it. At that meeting, Bruer said he would like some time to study and consider the issue further before his own vote.Earlier this year, Bill Alderman of Faith Christian Family Church presented a voluntary annexation request to become part of Truesdale. The church is located at 17350 East Veterans Memorial Parkway.“Our board and others in the community suggested this, and we agree that annexation is a good idea,” said Alderman.Annexation offers the church a break in its insurance rates based on access to the city’s emergency services.Church leaders have given the city written assurance that the church will continue to operate its own water and wastewater treatment systems.“Church leaders have said they will never ask for these services and have given us their promise to be self-sufficient,” said Bruer.Alderman said the Faith Christian Family Church has its own deep well and septic processing system, which undergoes regular inspection by the Department of Natural Resources.Currently, the Truesdale Police Department has a presence at the church’s parking lot as a patrol spot that offers access to the service road and Interstate 70. This presence will continue.Tax and Business Expansion ImplicationsOne drawback to annexation is that the city will gain no tax income. This is due to the church’s tax exempt status.“We’re looking to the future with this decision, which sets the stage for expansion in that area at some point,” said Bruer.“In the meantime, it’s nice to be able to do this for the (Faith Christian Family Church) community,” said Bruer.

TRUESDALE